BREAKING: Vanderbilt networks reportedly hacked, VUIT yet to confirm

This story was updated Nov. 9, 2026, at 11:47 a.m. CST to include a statement from Vanderbilt University Information Technology and Vanderbilt University AlertVU.

Vanderbilt Wi-Fi networks have experienced a cybersecurity incident, according to the university and VUIT. VUIT has confirmed a breach to The Hustler.

In a 10:06 a.m. statement, Dean of the Blair School of Music Melissa Rose said VUIT suggested students log off the network.

“Everyone is following VU protocols and waiting for further instruction. VUIT is working on it. For now, we are simply asking everyone to stay off the network entirely until we know more,” Rose said.

Students have reported VUIT staff entering classrooms across campus, alerting faculty that school-issued computers are not safe to use. VUIT has urged the Vanderbilt community to close all Microsoft Word documents, OneDrive and Dropbox folders.

In an 11:26 a.m. statement, VUIT is urging the community to shut down university-issued devices and remain vigilant.

“[VUIT] is actively investigating and working to contain the situation. We are asking all members of the university community to shut down university devices, disconnect from university WiFi and remain extremely vigilant,” the statement reads. “Take immediate action if you notice any unusual or suspicious activity.

At 11:45 a.m., Vanderbilt University AlertVU issued a message to the Vanderbilt community, urging the same statement.

“If you need immediate assistance, the IT service desk (615-343-9999) using a separate device,” the statement reads.

BYOD ransomware is believed to be responsible for the attack. In a message on its live website , BYOD outlined breached information, including Social Security numbers, full names, email addresses, among others. The Hustler has not yet confirmed this claim.

“If you could not tell already, your databases are locked. We have your entire estate and research data. Over 1 million [Social Security numbers], full names, email addresses, phone numbers, student & employee records, full takeover of your DC, whatever was on your network, we possess,” the statement reads. “Anyways, you know where to find us ( tab). We will take you down when communication has been established between our team and yours.”

According to the live website, the breach was discovered at 9:50 a.m. CST. The Vanderbilt community did not receive communication until 11:26 a.m. CST. The origin of the breach stems from the Universal Coordinated time zone, an area stretching from the United Kingdom south through northwestern Africa.

Students across campus have reported pop-up tabs on university-issued devices containing similar messaging to that on BYOD’s live website.

Students have also reported professors canceling classes due to the breach. Junior Audrey Nguyen said she walked into class and her Medicine, Health and Society professor notified students that class would be canceled. Nguyen hopes this incident is resolved soon.

“I went to my [MHS class] and my professor wrote ‘No WiFi, No Class’ on the chalkboard. My professor said that faculty were told not to go on Brightspace because of a cyber threat on campus,” Nguyen said. “I am really surprised something like this happened, but I am hopeful that it will get resolved soon.”

Laurie Woods, a criminology professor, told The Hustler that she experienced the pop-up tabs and verbal messaging live in her class this morning. Woods said she hopes the incident is contained soon.

“I received the message on the [university-issued] computer with 40 documents that said ‘Read Me’ and a verbal message, both of which I shared with students,” Woods said. “It is out of our control, so all we can do is make the best of it. On the other hand, it reminds us of the power of [the] internet and AI.”

This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available